*4/10*GF Cafe & final thoughts* Dead Lizards & Deluxe Dining: A December Trip Report

[yinyanggirls]

I hope the rest did you good. It stinks to be sick on vacation. I like the last two shots of you guys. Very cute.

 

[KathyRN137]

The photographer noticed Courtney's birthday pin and offered to do another kind of picture as well.

Adorable!

That is adorable!

Hope the nap did you good....


Kathy

 

[All7OfUs]

I think all 3 photos look great!

I didn't know that different Santas hung out in WS. Does every country display one?? That'd be a fun "collection" of photos!

I hope this cold doesn't make too much more of a dent in your trip!!

 

[praisehisname]

I liked all of the photopass pictures!

I was hoping a good nap would help me out of the funk I was feeling because we had a big night planned!

I hope so, too! Can't wait to hear about your big night!

Denise

 

[Lady Lallie]

I love the photopass pictures! They are so pretty.

I'm sorry you weren't feeling well. Sometimes a nice nap is just what you need to keep pushing on!

 

[DisneyGuy758]

Well, I just wasted (not wasted like it wasn't worth it...) the greater part of my day at work reading up on your TR. I have to say that solos and couples (I Know you're not a couple..but you get my drift...) are my favorites to read. I have two younger boys, and I know how busy it can be to be at the world with them, let alone reading about people with three or four kids! (Please everyone, don't take that as a bad thing...it really isn't. [Really!!]) For some reason, whenever I go on a trip to Disney, I'm sick as well. I think it's the airplane that does it to me really.

Anyways...

I'm really enjoying this report, and I hope to waste more time in the near future at work! Great writing style, and an awesome sense of humor too!

 

[shannn]

Ugh, sorry you weren't feeling well! There's nothing worse than being sick in Disney... except maybe being sick at home! I hope you were feeling better after your nap.

That's true. I'd rather be sick at Disney than at home!

Oh no!!! I hope the nap helps and you feel better for that evening! I just LOVE your PP pics!! They are too cute! You are your worst critic--I think you look great in all of the pics!!

You're too sweet. I definitely wasn't feeling at my most glamorous!

I hope the rest did you good. It stinks to be sick on vacation. I like the last two shots of you guys. Very cute.

Thanks! I like the back-to-back pose the best.

That is adorable!

Hope the nap did you good....


Kathy

Thanks!

I think all 3 photos look great!

I didn't know that different Santas hung out in WS. Does every country display one?? That'd be a fun "collection" of photos!

I hope this cold doesn't make too much more of a dent in your trip!!

We saw these 2 Santas and I think 1 more, or maybe 2. I really would have liked to go around and "collect" them all though. It was really cool to hear about Christmas in other countries.

I liked all of the photopass pictures!

I hope so, too! Can't wait to hear about your big night!

Denise

Thanks. Update coming up.

I love the photopass pictures! They are so pretty.

I'm sorry you weren't feeling well. Sometimes a nice nap is just what you need to keep pushing on!

Thanks. Unfortunately, I have horrible sinuses so this is not uncommon for me.

Well, I just wasted (not wasted like it wasn't worth it...) the greater part of my day at work reading up on your TR. I have to say that solos and couples (I Know you're not a couple..but you get my drift...) are my favorites to read. I have two younger boys, and I know how busy it can be to be at the world with them, let alone reading about people with three or four kids! (Please everyone, don't take that as a bad thing...it really isn't. [Really!!]) For some reason, whenever I go on a trip to Disney, I'm sick as well. I think it's the airplane that does it to me really.

Anyways...

I'm really enjoying this report, and I hope to waste more time in the near future at work! Great writing style, and an awesome sense of humor too!

I'm glad I'm a good waste of your time! I have 2 kids too (8 & 6 in 2 days) and it was awfully fun to get to go on an adult trip! I love seeing my kids in WDW, but the ability to wander and really look at things was fun on this trip. Update coming up!

 

[shannn]

We trudged our way back to the front of Epcot and found a bus for OKW. When we got back, we stopped to pick up our free mugs and fill them up with, what else? Diet Coke! It was nice to have them although we didn't get to use them much during the trip. But they are perfect souvenirs, and we both use them almost every day at work!

When we got back to good ol' Building 55, Courtney snuggled in for a long winter's nap. I tried to get into my bed and go to sleep, but I just couldn't breathe and I couldn't stop coughing! So, I thought maybe some steam would help me out. I went and took a long hot bath and just relaxed in the tub. It was funny that I was the one who wanted the nap, and then I just couldn't seem to sleep.

I lay in the bathtub and breathed in as much steam as possible. Soon enough, it was getting time to get ready for our ADR, so I started getting ready. I had to dress warmly because our surprise was going to be outside!

Once Courtney got ready, we decided to take the car over to the Contemporary because we had a 5:55 ADR at the California Grill! Yummy! We had no trouble finding parking right between Bay Lake Tower and the Contemporary and we headed into the lobby.

When we went in Donald and Daisy were posing in front of the lobby tree. I didn't want to wait in line, but I did want their picture, so yes, these are random kids in my picture! (I did cover their faces so they wouldn't be on the internet without their parents knowing.)

As we checked into CG, there was a family in front of us in line. There were 2 girls and the parents and the littlest one was screaming, "I want (something...I called Courtney to ask her, but she wasn't answering)" at the top of her lungs. The mom was trying to convince her to be quiet and threatening all kinds of things that she obviously wasn't going to actually do. I was embarrassed for her, because it was so obvious that she had no control over this obnoxious brat! (Sorry...I call 'em like I see 'em.)

We were quickly whisked up the elevator where the most beautiful sunset was evident through the windows. We went outside on the observation deck while we were waiting for the buzzer to go off. It was so gorgeous!

(Isn't it amazing how even the parking lot looks gorgeous from up there??)

Coming up next: dinner and finally, the surprise!

 

[michellem1118]

Ooohhh... suspense! I like it!

Those are great photos from the observation deck... one of these trips, I might actually have to go explore the Contemporary.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Those pictures are just so beautiful! It makes really want to eat at California Grill!

 

[manntra]

Love the PP pictures Shann!! The one of the balloons is soooo adorable! What a fun day!
Blech on not feeling well....hope the bath did you good
It's almost like you ordered that beautiful sunset for her birthday dinner! WOW! Look at that sky!
Can't wait for dinner!!

Tracy

 

[yinyanggirls]

Cliffhanger!!! That was a very short update!

 

[praisehisname]

Those photos from the observation deck are absolutely gorgeous! I hope that the bath helped and you can enjoy your meal!

Denise

 

[ladybugmom]

The pics from the observation deck are BREATHTAKING!! Quick question--is Cali Grill 1 or 2 TS points?! I hope you update again soon--can't wait to hear about this surprise!!

 

[All7OfUs]

You already know I CAN'T wait to eat here!! Seriously excited! The view is so dreamy- like something out of a movie with Tomorrowland glimmering off in the distance. WOW!

Eager to see what you ordered and anticipating the surprise.

P.s. Sounds like too long of a day for that kid, but it also makes me wonder if she's always like that?

 

[shannn]

Ooohhh... suspense! I like it!

Those are great photos from the observation deck... one of these trips, I might actually have to go explore the Contemporary.

Those pictures are just so beautiful! It makes really want to eat at California Grill!

Love the PP pictures Shann!! The one of the balloons is soooo adorable! What a fun day!
Blech on not feeling well....hope the bath did you good
It's almost like you ordered that beautiful sunset for her birthday dinner! WOW! Look at that sky!
Can't wait for dinner!!

Tracy

Cliffhanger!!! That was a very short update!

Those photos from the observation deck are absolutely gorgeous! I hope that the bath helped and you can enjoy your meal!

Denise

The pics from the observation deck are BREATHTAKING!! Quick question--is Cali Grill 1 or 2 TS points?! I hope you update again soon--can't wait to hear about this surprise!!

You already know I CAN'T wait to eat here!! Seriously excited! The view is so dreamy- like something out of a movie with Tomorrowland glimmering off in the distance. WOW!

Eager to see what you ordered and anticipating the surprise.

P.s. Sounds like too long of a day for that kid, but it also makes me wonder if she's always like that?

Thanks everyone! Sorry for the short update, but more is coming momentarily! The Cali Grill view is absolutely dreamy, isn't it?? I never get tired of it!! It is 2 TS points, but totally worth it. I think our bill would have been $270 for the 4 of us (2 adults, 2 kids) in October with out the DP.

 

[shannn]

Okay, no more cliff hangers today.

When our buzzer went off, they took us back to the wine room. It was quieter than the main room with only a few tables in it (maybe 6?). We ended up talking with the nice family who was sitting next to us, and rolling our eyes at the "teenage princesses" who were sitting at the only larger table in the room.

We had a great view of Bay Lake and the back of the Contemporary including the boat dock. I told Courtney that this was a perfect place for us to sit because it was a hint to our surprise for later. Eventually, she figured out that we were headed on a cruise to watch the fireworks!!

I scoured the menu considering lots of choices, but in the end I just couldn't turn down the heaven on a plate that I had chosen last time. There was one little change that they had made to one of the dishes since we were there in October.

We got glasses of the same Selbach-Oster Riesling that we had in October. It was still yummy!

For appetizers, we chose:
Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli - with sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, shiitake mushrooms and basil

This is mine. It's still the most delicious ravioli I've ever eaten, although the one at the Brown Derby came close.

Courtney was looking at the California Roll - jumbo lump crab with avocado and cucumber. When she asked the water about it, he said that Yoshi (the chef) could make her some sushi with crab and some with shrimp. She chose that option.

I think she ended up preferring the traditional crab filled rolls, and removing the shrimp from the shrimp rolls to eat it alone.

While we were waiting for our entrees, we ended up talking with the really nice family next to us, and the father took our picture.

Not a great shot, but you can see the restaurant behind us reflected in the window and I thought that was sort of cool.

For entrees,
I got the Grilled Pork Tenderloin - with goat cheese polenta, button mushrooms and zinfandel glaze.

(I forgot to take the picture before I started eating. Sorry! There's a perfect picture in my October TR.) This is still the most delicious thing I have ever put in my mouth. I found a recipe for it online, but I'm scared to even attempt to recreate it. Perfection!

Courtney got Oak-fired Filet of Beef - with Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Baby Zucchini, and Teriyaki Barbecue.

She said that the filet was cooked perfectly and the sauce was amazing!

For dessert, they brought Courtney a beautiful layered chocolate cake for her birthday which isn't on the menu. This also got put in a take-out box, I believe.

I ordered the Valrhona Chocolate Cake - Warm Chocolate Cake with Molten Center. However, normally they have salted caramel ice cream and roasted pineapple with it. The caramel ice cream was incredible in October, and I was a little disappointed that they didn't have it for December. They had substituted peppermint ice cream and cherries instead.

I shouldn't have been disappointed. I'm not a huge peppermint lover normally, but Oh My Goodness! the peppermint ice cream was amazing. It was perfect with the chocolate and added such a nice holiday touch!!

Courtney's dessert isn't on the online menu, as it was their holiday special. It was a Yule log with a gingerbread cookie and cranberries.

It was funny because we had just been talking about Yule log desserts and how much Courtney liked them so this was the perfect dessert for her!

After we left CG, we wandered down to the lobby and looked around while we were waiting for our fireworks cruise.

Courtney went shopping in the Contemporary shops while I walked outside to check out the pool area.

They have a cool "squirty" area!

We sat outside on a bench and waited for our driver to come and meet us for our cruise.

Continued in the next post.

 

[shannn]

Pretty soon, our captain John came boating up and walked over to say hello. There was a little confusion with the reservation because John thought that Courtney and I were going to be alone. (Wonder if he thought we were a couple?? ) However, we actually were being joined by friends: Wigoutdismom and her family!!! John didn't have enough life vests so he had to go and get some more. Pretty soon, here came Anita (wigd) and crew walking down the sidewalk.

We loaded up the boat with Anita, Marc, their board friend Roz (whose DIS name I've forgotten~ bad DISer!), and their whole family. John had laid out blankets and for everyone, and we definitely needed them. It was COLD!! He also had some snacks and a cooler full of soft drinks.

We left the Contemporary and rode along through Bay Lake with John talking the whole way.

the back of the Bay Lake Towers

the back of the Contemporary

As we passed the Island, he showed us all the birds that were roosting in the trees. It was so cool to see all the white dots showing up. He also showed us all the docks that were there as leftover parts of River Country. I never got to visit RC as a child, but it was so interesting to hear the stories.

We passed the electric light parade and watched it for a few minutes. It's so hard to get good pictures of it!

John showed us the back of Fort Wilderness, the only camp site with cable TV and wireless internet (according to John), and the back of Wilderness Lodge (which supposedly looks like a bear, but I had trouble seeing it.)

I *loved* this part of the cruise. John was so incredibly interesting and the time absolutely flew by! I would do another cruise just to hear more stories. As it got to be later, we got into position in front of the Magic Kingdom to watch Wishes!!

I spent the whole time clicking away with my camera so I'll just share some pictures with y'all.

Continued in the next post...are you bored yet??

 

[shannn]

I was sitting across from Harper, and this was what she was doing for most of it.

(How CUTE is that???)

Here I am with Captain John. Isn't he cute??

We took some pictures with Anita & Marc, but she must have gotten them on her camera. (I hope?)

It was a wonderful night and a great surprise~

Coming up next: Do we make rope drop at the Magic Kingdom?

 

[ladybugmom]

Great update! Dinner looks amazing and the cruise sounds like so much fun!! That's great that you were able to experience the cruise with Wigoutdismom and her family!! Yay for DIS meets!!